Superoleophilic particles and coatings and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

Superoleophilic particles and surfaces and methods of making the same are described. The superoleophilic particles can include porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layer deposited thereon. The coated porous particles are characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm and a plurality of nanopores. Some of the nanopores provide flow through porosity. The superoleophilic particles also include oil pinned within the nanopores of the porous particles The plurality of porous particles can include (i) particles including a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material, (ii) diatomaceous earth particles, or (iii) both. The surfaces can include the superoleophilic particles coupled to the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications are specificallyreferenced and incorporated herein by reference: (i) U.S. Pat. No.7,258,731 issued on Aug. 21, 2007 to Brian R. D'Urso, et al. entitled“Composite, Nanostructured, Super-Hydrophobic Material”; (ii) U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/749,852 filed on May 17, 2007 by BrianD'Urso, et al. entitled “Super-Hydrophobic Water Repellant Powder”; and(iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/777,486 filed on Jul. 13, 2007by John T. Simpson, et al. entitled “Superhydrophobic DiatomaceousEarth.”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support under Contract No.DE-AC05-00OR22725 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Thegovernment has certain rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is drawn to superoleophilic particles and surfaces, andmethods of making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are abundant uses for superhydrophobic materials, includingself-cleaning surfaces, anti-fouling surfaces and anti-corrosionsurfaces. Approaches for producing surfaces exhibiting these propertiesinclude producing microtextured superhydrophobic surfaces or chemicallyactive antimicrobial surfaces. Despite the impressive propertiesachieved by such known surfaces, the properties are not durable and thesurfaces need to be replaced or otherwise maintained frequently. Thus,research to identify alternative approaches has continued.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Superoleophilic compositions, coatings and surfaces and methods ofmaking the same are described. The superoleophilic compositions caninclude a plurality of superoleophilic particles. The superoleophilicparticles can include porous particles that include a plurality ofnanopores and a hydrophobic coating layer. At least some of thenanopores can provide flow through porosity. The coated porous particlescan have particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm.Finally, the superoleophilic particles can include oil pinned within thenanopores of the porous particles.

The hydrophobic coating layer can include a perfluorinated organicmaterial. The hydrophobic coating layer can include a self-assembledmonolayer.

The porous particles can include (a) porous diatomaceous earthparticles, (b) particles that have spaced apart nanostructured featurescomprising a contiguous, protrusive material, or (c) a mixture of both.The porous particles can also include an etching residue disposed on(e.g., coupled to) the contiguous, protrusive material. The etchingresidue can be from a recessive contiguous material interpenetratingwith the protruding material. Either or both of the protruding materialand the etching residue can be a glass.

The oil can be a non-nutritional oil. The oil can be an oil selectedfrom the group consisting of non-volatile linear and branched alkanes,alkenes and alkynes; esters of linear and branched alkanes, alkenes andalkynes; polysiloxanes, and combinations thereof. The oil can include(i) an oil that does not evaporate at ambient environmental conditions;(ii) an oil that evaporates at ambient environmental conditions, or(iii) a mixture of both.

The compositions described herein can include superoleophilic coatingsolutions that include a solvent with a plurality of superoleophilicparticles suspended therein. The compositions can also besuperoleophilic coatings that include a binder layer, where theplurality of superoleophilic particles are coupled to and extend fromthe binder layer. A material that includes a substrate, a plurality ofsuperoleophilic particles, and a binder coupling the plurality ofsuperoleophilic particles to the substrate is also described.

A method of making superoleophilic particles that includes providing aplurality of porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layerdeposited thereon, and pinning an oil within nanopores of the porousparticles. The pinning step can include contacting an oil pinningsolution with the porous particles. The oil pinning solution can includethe oil with or without a surfactant. The surfactant can be a volatilesurfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohols; acetone;linear and branched alkanes, alkenes and alkynes; and combinationsthereof.

A method of forming a superoleophilic surface that includes applying acoating solution to a surface of a substrate is also described. Thecoating solution can include a solvent with a plurality ofsuperoleophilic porous particles disposed therein. The coating solutioncan be a superoleophilic coating solution that includes 0.01-20 wt-%superoleophilic particles; 0.01-20 wt-% binder; and 60-99.98 wt-%solvent.

The method can include coating a surface of the porous particles with ahydrophobic coating layer and pinning an oil within the nanopores of theporous particles. The coating step can occur after the applying step orthe applying step can occur after the coating step. Similarly, thepinning step can occur after the applying step or the applying step canoccur after the pinning step. The pinning step can occur after thecoating step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the present invention and the features andbenefits thereof will be obtained upon review of the following detaileddescription together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a superoleophilic particle according to theinvention produced using an SEM of a porous particle (not to scale).

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a close up of the surface of thesuperoleophilic particle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a close up of a hydrophobic coating on anindividual nanostructured feature and the surrounding interfaces withoil pinned within a nanopore.

FIG. 4A is an SEM of particles of etched, spinodally decomposed sodiumborate glass, FIG. 4B is an SEM of diatomaceous earth.

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing a coating solution.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing a surface with a superoleophilic coatingdisposed thereon.

FIGS. 7A-D are pictures showing comparative result for a foulingexperiment (A) immediately after coating, (B) after one day of exposureto the ocean, (C) after one week of exposure to the ocean, and (D) aftertwo weeks of exposure to the ocean.

FIGS. 8A-B are pictures showing comparative results for radome plateswith and without the inventive superoleophilic coatings after 5 weeks ofexposure to the ocean.

FIGS. 9A & B is pictures showing comparative results for radome platesand aluminum plates, respectively, with and without the inventivesuperoleophilic coatings after 8 weeks of exposure to the ocean.

FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a surface with a superoleophilic coatingdisposed thereon, where at least some superoleophilic particles areembedded and/or encapsulated within the binder layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to superoleophilic particles,superoleophilic surfaces that include the superoleophilic particles, andmethods of making superoleophilic particles and surfaces. In particular,the methods and materials described herein can be used to produce coatedsurfaces that exhibit exceptionally durable self-cleaning surfaces,anti-fouling surfaces, anti-corrosion surfaces and anti-icing surfaces.

As used herein, superoleophilic refers to a material that wets out whencontacted with an oil or other non-polar composition. Thus, thesesuperoleophilic materials are also superhydrophobic materials and willexhibit extremely high contact angles with water. For example, thecontact angle of the superoleophilic surfaces described herein can begreater than 140°, greater than 150°, greater than 160°, or even greaterthan 170°.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 & 3, in one aspect, the invention includes acomposition comprising a plurality of superoleophilic particles 10. Thesuperoleophilic particles 10 can include porous particles 12 having ahydrophobic coating layer 14 deposited thereon and oil 16 pinned withinnanopores 18 of the porous particles 12. In particular, the oil 16 canbe pinned by and/or within the surface nanopores 18 of the porousparticles 12. At least some of the nanopores 18 can provide a flowthrough porosity.

As used herein, the term “nanopores” refers to pores with a majordiameter ranging from 1 to 750 nm. Nanopores can also refer to poreshaving a major diameter ranging from 5 to 500 nm, or 10 to 400 nm, orany combination thereof, e.g., 400 to 750 nm.

As used herein, “pinned” refers to being held in place by surfacetension forces, van der Waal forces (e.g., suction), or combinations ofboth. For example, the interactions that prevent a liquid from beingdispensed from a laboratory pipette until the plunger is depressed couldbe referred to as pinning.

The porous particles 12 described herein can have a pore size rangingfrom 10 nm to about 10 μm, or 100 nm to 8 μm, or 500 nm to 6 μm, or 1 to5 μm, or any combination thereof, e.g., 500 nm to 5 μm. Exemplary porousparticles include diatomaceous earth and particles formed fromdifferential etching of spinodally decomposed glass. Both types ofparticles are composed primarily of amorphous silicon dioxide. Thematerials described in the patent applications specifically referencedherein describe particularly suitable porous particles for carrying outthe present invention.

For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/749,852 describes aplurality of solid particles characterized by particle sizes rangingfrom at least 100 nm to about 10 μm having a plurality of nanopores thatprovide flow through porosity. The surface of the particles displays aplurality of spaced apart nanostructured features 17 comprising acontiguous, protrusive material. As used herein, nanostructured features17 has its literal meaning and includes, but is not limited to,nanoscale surface roughness, nanoscale protrusions from a surface, andnanoscale branched networks, such as those present in diatomaceous earthand differentially etched spinodally decomposed glass. FIG. 4A shows anSEM image of such particles.

The porous particles also can include an etching residue disposed on thecontiguous, protrusive material. As will be understood, the etchingresidue can result from the differential etching process utilized toremove the boron-rich phase of the spinodally decomposed borosilicateglass, which is an intermediate product of the particles described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/749,852. Thus, the etching residuecan include remnants of the recessive contiguous material that wasinterpenetrating with the protruding material in the spinodallydecomposed intermediary product. The etching residue can be contiguousor non-contiguous. As will be apparent, FIGS. 1 & 2 are not to scale,but are based on SEM images of spinodally decomposed and etched porousparticles and are not to scale. However, FIGS. 1 & 2 are useful to showthe relevant features of the inventive superoleophilic particles.

In one exemplary porous particle, the composition of the sodiumborosilicate glass that is spinodally decomposed can be 65.9 wt-% SiO₂,26.3 wt-% B₂O₃ and 7.8 wt-% Na₂O. The protrusive material (e.g., silicarich phase), the recessive material (e.g., borate rich phase) or bothcan be glass.

Diatomaceous earth, such as that described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/777,486, can also be used as a source for porous particleswith nanopores. An SEM of diatomaceous earth particles is shown in FIG.4B. Diatomaceous earth is a chalk-like, soft, friable, earthy, veryfine-grained, siliceous sedimentary rock usually light in color,although white when pure. It is very finely porous and is very low indensity, such that it floats on water until its surface is wetted, andis chemically inert to most liquids and gases. It also displays lowthermal conductivity and a high fusion point. Many sediments andsedimentary rocks are somewhat diatomaceous. The deposits result from anaccumulation in oceans or fresh waters of the amorphous silica (opal,SiO₂.nH₂O) cell walls of dead diatoms that are microscopic single-cellaquatic plants (algae). The fossilized skeletal remains—a pair ofsymmetrical shells (frustules)—vary in size from less than 1 micron tomore than 1 millimeter but are typically 10 to 200 microns across. Uponmilling the diatom frustules are broken into smaller grain sizes, suchas from 10 nm to 1 microns. The frustules have a broad variety ofdelicate, lacy, perforated shapes from discs and balls to ladders,feathers, and needles, which provide the partitioned surface of the DEthat provides the surface topography conducive to the producingsuperhydrophobic properties when the surface is properly treated in amanner that retains the surface topography but renders the surfacehydrophobic. The typical chemical composition of diatomaceous earth isabout 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron.

The porous diatomaceous earth (DE) particles can be processed porousparticles with little or no organic contamination and where theparticles retain the surface topography and silicate surfacefunctionalities of natural DE. The surface topography of natural DE ishighly partitioned with ridges and peaks extending outward from theparticle. The silicate surface is that of amorphous silica wherenumerous silanol, Si—OH, groups exist as surface terminal groups of thesilicate network. When the organic contaminate level of the DE is verylow, as with some food grade DE, a heat treatment does not have to becarried out to remove organic contaminants. However, a heat treatmentcan be carried out to assure that organic impurities and water aresubstantially removed.

DE treated in excess of 650° C. can undergo material and structuralchanges which are deleterious to the silicate surface functionality towhich the hydrophobic coating of the present invention is ultimatelybound and at slightly higher temperatures is deleterious to the highlypartitioned surface topography that enables superhydrophobic characterwhen coated with a hydrophobic material. The surface of uncalcined DE isthat of amorphous silica, more similar in composition to that ofprecipitated silica rather than pyrogenic silica. There is a reasonablyhigh silanol content to the DE surface that can be characterized ashaving strong hydrogen bonded silanols, moderate strength hydrogenbonded silanols and weak hydrogen bonded silanols. Upon warming nearlyall strongly hydrogen bonded silanols are broken when 650° C. is reachedor exceeded. In addition, moderate strength hydrogen bonded silanols arebroken when 1,000° C. is reached and above 1,000° C. the weak hydrogenbonded silanols are broken.

For the porous particles described herein, it is desirable that althoughsurface bound water is reduced to a low level or completely removed, thepresence of at least some moderate strength hydrogen bonded silanols isintended to provide sufficient sites for bonding of the coating layerand thereby stabilizing the hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer (SAM)coating. For this reason, uncalcined DE is generally the preferred formof DE for use as the porous particles described herein. The desirablesurface topography formed by the diatoms and the presence of the silanolfunctionality at the surface can also be useful for depositing acontinuous self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

In general, the uncalcined DE that is particularly useful can be treatedby heating to temperatures of about 450 to about 700° C., preferably 500to 600° C., under a dry gas stream or under vacuum prior to applying thehydrophobic coating to the surface. FIG. 4 shows a SEM image of acollection of DE particles as used in the invention. As can be seen inFIG. 4, where the distance between marks on the scale is 500 nm, thecrushed DE displays particles where the cross-section is less than 3 μmand the average cross-section is less than 1 μm. These nanoparticleshave irregular features with a partitioning of the surface to featuresof about 100 nm in width and less.

The temperature and time of heating useful for removing excess waterdepends on the condition of the DE as received and the structure of thehydrophobic coating composition and protocol employed. The heattreatment removes organic impurities that can interfere with thedeposition of a hydrophobic layer. The heat treatment also removes waterfrom the surface to an extent that the partitioned features of the DEtopography are not significantly filled with water. Presence of thewater in the voids between the DE features can prevent hydrophobiccoatings from conforming to the silicate surface topography displayed bythe natural-grade DE, which provides the partitioned features of thattopography that caused the coated DE to exhibit superhydrophobic surfaceproperties. Small amounts of water can be present for practice of theinvention as long as the water does not interfere with the hydrophobiccoating material conforming to the DE surface.

The different forms of porous particles described herein and in therespective specifically referenced patent applications can be used aloneor in combination with each other. In addition, other porous particleswith similar properties and morphologies can also be utilized alone orin combination as long as superoleophilic properties are exhibited bythe final product.

As described in the referenced patent applications, the porous particles12 are superhydrophobic only after a hydrophobic coating layer 14 isapplied thereto. Prior to such application, the uncoated porousparticles are hydrophilic. The hydrophobic coating layer 14 can be aperfluorinated organic material, a self-assembled monolayer, or both.Methods and materials for applying the hydrophobic coating 14, whetheras a self-assembled monolayer or not, are fully described in the U.S.patent applications referenced hereinabove.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hydrophobic coating 14 will generallycontinuously coat the porous particle surface. The surface can be formedas a self assembled monolayer. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) aresurfaces consisting of a single layer of molecules on a substrate wherethe molecule are arranged in a manner where a head group is directed oradhered to a surface, generally by the formation of at least onecovalent bond, and a tail group is directed to the air interface toprovide desired surface properties, such as hydrophobicity. As thehydrophobic tail group has the lower surface energy it dominates the airsurface providing a continuous surface of the tail groups.

Although SAM methods are described, it will be understood that alternatesurface treatment techniques can be used. Exemplary surface treatmenttechniques include, but are not limited to, SAM, chemical vapordeposition, molecular beam epitaxy and surface sol-gel techniques.

SAMs useful in the instant invention can be prepared by adding a melt orsolution of the desired SAM precursor onto the substrate surface where asufficient concentration of SAM precursor is present to produce acontinuous conformal monolayer. After the hydrophobic SAM is formed andfixed to the surface of the porous particle, any excess precursor can beremoved as a volatile or by washing. In this manner the SAM-airinterface can be primarily or exclusively dominated by the hydrophobicmoiety.

One example of a SAM precursor that can be useful for the compositionsand methods described herein istridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroctyltriclorosilane. This moleculeundergoes condensation with the silanol groups of the porous particlesurface, which releases HCl and covalently bonds thetridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroctylsilyls group to the silanols at thesurface of the porous particle. The tridecafluorohexyl moiety of thetridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroctylsilyl groups attached to the surfaceof the porous particle provides a monomolecular layer that has ahydrophobicity similar to polytetrafluoroethylene. Thus, such SAMs makeit possible to produce porous particles that have hydrophobic surfaceswhile retaining the desired nanostructured morphology that produce thedesired superhydrophobic porous particles that are the basis of thesuperoleophilic oil-filled particles described herein.

A non-exclusive list of exemplary SAM precursors that can be used forvarious embodiments of the invention is:

X_(y)(CH₃)_((3-y))SiLR

where y=1 to 3; X is Cl, Br, I, H, HO, R′HN, R′₂N, imidizolo,R′C(O)N(H), R′C(O)N(R″), R′O, F₃CC(O)N(H), F₃CC(O)N(CH₃), or F₃S(O)₂O,where R′ is a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon of 1 to 4 carbonsand R″ is methyl or ethyl; L, a linking group, is CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂,CH₂CH₂O, CH₂CH₂CH₂O, CH₂CH₂C(O), CH₂CH₂CH₂C(O), CH₂CH₂OCH₂,CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₂; and R is (CF₂)_(n)CF₃ or (CF(CF₃)OCF₂)_(n)CF₂CF₃, where nis 0 to 24. Preferred SAM precursors have y=3 and are commonly referredto as silane coupling agents. These SAM precursors can attach tomultiple OH groups on the DE surface and can link together with theconsumption of water, either residual on the surface, formed bycondensation with the surface, or added before, during or after thedeposition of the SAM precursor. All SAM precursors yield a mostthermodynamically stable structure where the hydrophobic moiety of themolecule is extended from the surface and establish normalconformational populations which permit the hydrophobic moiety of theSAM to dominate the air interface. In general, the hydrophobicity of theSAM surface increases with the value of n for the hydrophobic moiety,although in most cases sufficiently high hydrophobic properties areachieved when n is about 4 or greater where the SAM air interface isdominated by the hydrophobic moiety. The precursor can be a singlemolecule or a mixture of molecules with different values of n for theperfluorinated moiety. When the precursor is a mixture of molecules itis preferable that the molecular weight distribution is narrow,typically a Poisson distribution or a more narrow distribution.

The SAM precursor can have a non-fluorinated hydrophobic moiety as longas it readily conforms to the highly nanostructured surface of theporous particle and exhibits a sufficiently low surface energy toexhibit the desired hydrophobic properties. Although the fluorinated SAMprecursors indicated above are preferred, in some embodiments of theinvention silicones and hydrocarbon equivalents for the R groups of thefluorinated SAM precursors above can be used. Additional detailsregarding SAM precursors and methodologies can be found in the patentapplications that have been incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, “oil” is intended to refer to a non-polar fluid that isa stable, non-volatile, liquid at room temperature, e.g., 23-28° C. Theoils used herein should be incompressible and have no solubility or onlytrace solubility in water, e.g., a solubility of 0.01 g/l or 0.001 g/lor less. Exemplary oils include non-volatile linear and branchedalkanes, alkenes and alkynes, esters of linear and branched alkanes,alkenes and alkynes; polysiloxanes, and combinations thereof.

The oil 16 pinned by and/or within the nanopores 18 can be anon-nutritional oil. As used herein, the term “non-nutritional” is usedto refer to oils that are not consumed as a nutrient source by microbes,e.g., bacteria, fungus, etc., or other living organisms. Exemplarynon-nutritional oils include, but are not limited to polysiloxanes.

It has now been discovered that the superoleophilic particles andsurfaces described herein maintain their superhydrophobic propertiesmuch longer than equivalent particles and surface coatings that do notinclude the pinned oil described herein. Although not necessary forpracticing the invention, the following discussion is believed toprovide useful insight into the mechanism of the unexpectedly superiordurability of the inventive superoleophilic particles and coatings.Water is one of the most powerful and destructive compounds on Earth,especially when a surface is exposed to water in the externalenvironment. Thus, over time, water can break the surface features ofthe prior art particles and find a path into or around the prior artparticles.

Having made the discovery described herein, one possible explanation tothe limited duration of the properties of the prior art particles isthat air pinned in the prior art particles is displaced by water overtime. In contrast, it is now believed that when oil is pinned withinnanopores of the particles, there are two major improvements over theprior art. First, the oil has a higher surface tension and density, soit becomes nearly impossible for water to displace the oil (i.e., it iseasier for water to displace air than oil) that is pinned in thenanopores of the porous particles. In addition, the incompressible oilprovides support for and reduce the stress on the nanoscale featuresthat help provide the superhydrophobic properties of the particles.

For example, where oil is present in the nanopores of the porousparticles, the oil absorbs some of the forces exerted of thenanofeatures by waves, raindrops, particles carried by the wind, etc.This reduces the force, absorbed by, and the stress/strain exerted on,the nanofeatures, which minimizes or prevents the flexing of thenanofeatures that may ultimately break the nanofeatures. Thus, it hasbeen unexpectedly discovered that the presence of oil pinned in thenanopores of porous particles produces superhydrophobic particles andsurfaces with an exceptionally durable superhydrophobic, anti-corrosiveand anti-fouling properties.

The oil can be pinned in all or substantially all of the nanoporesand/or surface nanopores of the porous particles. For example, oil canbe pinned in at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, atleast 97.5%, or at least 99% of the nanopores and/or surface nanoporesof a superoleophilic particle described herein. The oil pinned within asingle particle can be a contiguous oil phase. Alternately, thesuperoleophilic particles described herein can include an inner airphase that is completely surrounded by an oil phase.

In order to maintain the superoleophilic properties for an extendedduration, it can be desirable that the oil pinned in the superoleophilicparticles does not evaporate when the superoleophilic properties areexposed to the use environment. For example, the oil can be an oil thatdoes not evaporate at ambient environmental conditions. An exemplary oilcan have a boiling point of at least 120° C., or at least 135° C., or atleast 150° C. or at least 175° C.

In some embodiments, it is advantageous to form a coating solutioncontaining superoleophilic particles, where the pinned oil evaporatesafter the coating is formed. For example, the oil can be an oil thatevaporates when exposed to ambient environmental conditions. Anexemplary oil can have a boiling point boiling point of 135° C. or less,or 120° C. or less, or 100° C. or less, or 80° C. or less.

As used herein, “ambient environmental conditions” refer generally tonaturally occurring terrestrial or aquatic conditions to whichsuperoleophilic materials may be exposed. For example, submerged inlakes, rivers and oceans around the world, and adhered to manmadestructures around the world. Exemplary ambient environmental conditionsinclude (i) a temperature range from −40° C. to 45° C. at a pressure ofone atmosphere, and (ii) standard temperature and pressure.

As shown in FIG. 5, the composition described herein can be asuperoleophilic coating solution 20 that includes superoleophilicparticles 10, a solvent 22 and a binder 24. The superoleophilicparticles 10 can be 0.01 to 20 wt-% of the solution, 0.05 to 10 wt-% ofthe solution or 0.1-5 wt-% of the solution. The binder 24 can be 0.01 to20 wt-% of the solution, 0.05 to 10 wt-% of the solution or 0.1-5 wt-%of the solution. The solvent 22 can be 99.98 to 60 wt-% of the solution,or 99.9 to 80 wt-% of the solution, or 99.8 to 90 wt-% of the solution.

In some examples, the binder can be dissolved in the solvent 22 or inthe form of binder particles, e.g., those formed by suspensionpolymerization, suspended in the solvent 22. FIG. 5 depicts anembodiment where the binder is dissolved in the solvent 22 so the binderis not expressly shown in the figure.

Binders useful for the compositions and methods described herein can beany material capable of durably coupling the superoleophilic particlesdescribed herein to a substrate material. Exemplary binders include, butare not limited to, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl chloride), cement, epoxiesand combinations thereof.

Solvent useful for the compositions and methods described herein can beany volatile solvent useful for suspending the superoleophilic particlesand suspending or solubilizing the binders described herein. Thevolatile solvents can be volatile at room temperature. Thus, when thesuperoleophilic coating solution is applied to a substrate, the solventevaporates, which causes the solvent and binder to concentrate at aninterface between the superoleophilic particles and the substratesurface. This mechanism prevents the binder from covering thenanostructured features of the particles that are largely responsiblefor the unique, durable superoelophilic properties.

Exemplary solvents include volatile alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol,etc.; acetone; volatile linear and branched alkanes, alkenes andalkynes, e.g., hexane, heptanes and octane; and combinations thereof. Asused herein, volatile refers to fluids that evaporate rapidly at roomtemperature. For example, a fluid that evaporates in less than 5 minuteswhen spread across a surface as a thin sheet

The invention can also be a superoleophilic coating 24 that includes abinder layer 26, where a plurality of superolephilic particles 10 arecoupled to and extend from the binder layer 26. The binder layer 26 canbe continuous or discontinuous and can couple, affix and/or permanentlyattach the superoleophilic particles 10 to a substrate 28. A sufficientportion of the superoleophilic particles 10 can extend from the binderlayer 26 that the superoleophilic properties of the particles 10 arealso exhibited by the superoleophilic coating 24. Similarly, thesuperoleophilic particles 10 can be present in a sufficient amount anddistribution that the coating 24 exhibits superoleophilic properties.The superoleophilic coating 24 can exhibit superoleophilic properties,such as a contact angle greater than 150°, for an extended duration whenexposed to the environment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the binder layer 26 can include some embeddedsuperoleophilic particles 10 embedded and/or encapsulated therein 26. Insuch instances, the encapsulated superoleophilic particles 10 can beessentially inert unless and until a crack forms in the binder layer 26.If a crack forms, the previously embedded superoleophilic particles 10may become exposed to create a superoleophilic fissure surface that canprevent water from penetrating through the crack to the underlyingsubstrate 28, e.g., aluminum. This mechanism further enhances theanti-corrosive properties of the coating 24 and the durability of theanti-corrosive properties.

A method of making superoleophilic particles is also described. Themethod can include providing a plurality of porous particles and pinningan oil within nanopores of the porous particles. Oil can be pinnedwithin the nanopores by contacting an oil pinning solution with theporous particles. The oil pinning solution can include the oil, asurfactant, or both.

Exemplary surfactants include volatile alcohols, e.g., methanol,ethanol, etc.; acetone; volatile linear and branched alkanes, alkenesand alkynes, e.g., hexane, heptanes and octane; and combinationsthereof. Many compositions described as useful as solvents herein arealso useful as surfactants.

The oil being pinned should be miscible in the surfactant and thesurfactant should have a viscosity that is substantially lower than thatof the oil. Because high viscosity fluids, such as the relevantnon-volatile oils, cannot penetrate into nanopores, a critical featureof the surfactants is reduction of the effective viscosity of the oilpinning solution to a range that can penetrate the nanopores. Once theoil pinning solution penetrates the pores, the surfactant volatizesleaving the oil pined within the nanopores.

In general, the ratio of oil to surfactant should be such that theviscosity of the oil pinning solution is sufficiently low to penetrateinto the nanopores of the porous particles. The oil can be 0.01 to 100wt-% of the oil pinning solution, 0.01 to 20 wt-% of the oil pinningsolution, 0.05 to 10 wt-% of the oil pinning solution or 0.1-5 wt-% ofthe oil pinning solution. Where the surfactant is present, thesurfactant can be 99.99 to 80 wt-% of the oil pinning solution, or 99.95to 90 wt-% of the oil pinning solution, or 99.99 to 95 wt-% of the oilpinning solution.

The invention is also drawn to a method of forming a superoleophiliccoating 24. The method can include applying a coating solution to asurface 30 of a substrate 28. The coating solution can include a solvent22 with a plurality of porous or superoleophilic particles 12 or 10disposed therein. The method can also include coating a surface 19 ofthe porous particles 12 with a hydrophobic coating layer 14 and pinningoil 16 within the nanopores 18 of the porous particles 12.

Deposition of the hydrophobic coating layer 14 and the oil pinning stepcan occur before or after the coating solution is applied to the surface30 of the substrate 28. The hydrophobic coating layer 14 can be coatedonto the porous particles 12 prior to the pinning step.

The coating solution can also include a binder. The coating solution canbe a superoleophilic coating solution that includes 0.01-20 wt-%superoleophilic particles; 0.01-20 wt-% binder; and 60-99.98 wt-%solvent. Alternately, the coating solution can include 0.01-20 wt-%porous particles (i.e., without the pinned oil and either with orwithout the superhydrophobic coating); 0.01-20 wt-% binder; and 60-99.98wt-% solvent. The coating solution can include any of the other ratiosdescribed herein with the particles being superoleophilic,superhydrophobic or hydrophilic.

EXAMPLES

In order to assess the performance of the superoleophilic particles andcoatings described, superoleophilic coatings were applied to aluminumand radome plates that were submerged in the ocean for up to five weeks.The superoleophilic particles were spinodally decomposed sodiumborosilicate glass particles with polysiloxane pinned within thenanopores of the particles, which included a fluorinated SAM hydrophobiccoating.

The plates were made superhydrophobic by applying a superhydrophobiccoating solution to the plates. The superhydrophobic coating solutioncontained 3 wt-% superhydrophobic powder (either superhydrophobicdiatomaceous earth, superhydrophobic silica nanoparticles, orsuperhydrophobic spinodal silica powder) with a binder of ˜2 wt-%urethane (Clear Coat or PVC cement) in acetone (i.e., ˜95 wt-%).

Once the coating solution was dried, the powders were bonded to theplate substrate. At that time a low viscosity polysiloxane oil (500 tSc)was applied to the surface with a dropper. Because of the low viscosityof the polysiloxane oil, it was absorbed into and pinned in thenanopores. Excess oil drain off the surface, which appeared and feltdry. After drying and curing the binder, coated and uncoated aluminumplates were placed in the Atlantic Ocean at the Battelle EmersionFacility in Florida.

FIGS. 7A-D show side-by-side comparisons of coated and uncoated portionsof the same metal plate: (a) immediately after coating, (b) after oneday of exposure, (c) after one week of exposure, and (d) after two weeksof exposure. Similarly, FIGS. 8A-B show coated and uncoated both (a)prior to washing, and (b) after washing. Finally, FIGS. 9A and B showcomparative photographs showing coated and uncoated radome and aluminumsurfaces, respectively, after 8 weeks exposure to the ocean. The washingprocess used for the pictures in FIGS. 8 and 9, included washing with asimple garden hose (estimated water pressure of <200 psi).

From FIGS. 7-9, it is clear that the superoleophilic coating materialsprovide exceptions anti-fouling properties. The same features thatprovide exceptional anti-fouling properties can also provide exceptionalself-cleaning properties and anti-corrosion properties.

In some additional experiments, a high viscosity polysiloxane oil(100,000 tSc) was pinned in the nanopores. In these instances, theviscosity of the polysiloxane oil was lowered by adding acetone beforeapplying the oil pinning solution to the superhydrophobic particles. Aswith the low viscosity polysiloxane oil, the surface appeared and feltdry.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments,it is evident in view of the foregoing description that numerousalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to encompassall such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall withinthe scope and spirit of the invention and the following claims.

1. A composition comprising: a plurality of superoleophilic particlescomprising: porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layerdeposited thereon, said coated porous particles characterized byparticle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm and aplurality of nanopores, wherein at least some of said nanopores provideflow through porosity, and oil pinned within said nanopores of saidporous particles.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein saidporous particles are further characterized by a plurality of spacedapart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusivematerial.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said porousparticles further comprise an etching residue disposed on saidcontiguous, protrusive material, said etching residue from a recessivecontiguous material interpenetrating with said protruding material. 4.The composition according to claim 3, wherein at least one of saidprotruding material and said etching residue comprises a glass.
 5. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic coating layercomprises a perfluorinated organic material.
 6. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic coating layer comprises aself-assembled monolayer.
 7. The composition according to claim 1,wherein said porous particles comprise porous diatomaceous earthparticles.
 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said oilcomprises a non-nutritional oil.
 9. The composition according to claim1, wherein said oil comprises an oil selected from the group consistingof non-volatile linear and branched alkanes, alkenes and alkynes; estersof linear and branched alkanes, alkenes and alkynes; polysiloxanes, andcombinations thereof.
 10. The composition according to claim 9, whereinsaid oil does not evaporate at ambient environmental conditions.
 11. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein said oil evaporates at ambientenvironmental conditions.
 12. The composition according to claim 1,further comprising a solvent, wherein said superoleophilic particles aresuspended in said solvent.
 13. The composition according to claim 1,further comprising a binder layer, wherein said plurality ofsuperolephilic particles are coupled to and extend from said binderlayer.
 14. A material, comprising: a substrate; a plurality ofsuperoleophilic particles comprising: porous particles having ahydrophobic coating layer deposited thereon, said coated porousparticles characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nmto about 10 μm and a plurality of nanopores, wherein at least some ofsaid nanopores provide flow through porosity, and oil pinned within saidsurface nanopores of said porous particles; and a binder coupling saidplurality of superoleophilic particles to said substrate.
 15. A methodof making superoleophilic particles, comprising: providing a pluralityof porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layer depositedthereon, said coated porous particles characterized by particle sizesranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm and a plurality ofnanopores, wherein at least some of said nanopores provide flow throughporosity, and pinning an oil within nanopores of said porous particles.16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said pinning stepcomprises: contacting an oil pinning solution with said porousparticles, wherein said oil pinning solution comprises said oil and asurfactant.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein saidsurfactant is a volatile surfactant selected from the group consistingof alcohols; acetone; linear and branched alkanes, alkenes and alkynes;and combinations thereof.
 18. The method according to claim 15, whereinsaid porous particles: (i) comprise a plurality of spaced apartnanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material; or(ii) comprise diatomaceous earth.
 19. A method of forming asuperoleophilic surface, comprising: applying a coating solution to asurface of a substrate, said coating solution comprising a solvent witha plurality of porous particles disposed therein, said porous particlescharacterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10μm and a plurality of nanopores, wherein at least some of said nanoporesprovide flow through porosity; coating a surface of said porousparticles with a hydrophobic coating layer, pinning oil within saidnanopores of said porous particles.
 20. The method according to claim19, wherein said coating solution is a superoleophilic coating solutioncomprising: 0.01-20 wt-% superoleophilic particles; 0.01-20 wt-% binder;and 60-99.98 wt-% solvent.
 21. The method according to claim 19, whereinsaid pinning step occurs after said applying step.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 19, wherein said applying step occurs after saidpinning step.